fail
/feɪl/ verb A2- To be unsuccessful. · Throughout my life, I have always failed.
- Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.) · The truck failed to start.
- To neglect. · The report fails to take into account all the mitigating factors.
- Of a machine, etc.: to cease to operate correctly. · After running five minutes, the engine failed.
- To be wanting to, to be insufficient for, to disappoint, to desert; to disappoint one's expectations. · I've failed my parents many times growing up.
- To receive one or more non-passing grades in academic pursuits. · I failed English last year.
- To give a student a non-passing grade in an academic endeavour. · The professor failed me because I did not complete any of the course assignments.
- To be wanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or degree up to total absence. · The crops failed last year.
Plural fail · He/she/it fails · Past failed · Past participle failed · -ing form failing
Verb forms
- Base form
- fail
- He/she/it
- fails
- Past
- failed
- Past participle
- failed
- -ing form
- failing
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
Failing to obtain food among the Doves, he returned to the Jackdaws.
“’Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away”—and as he said so the old man’s strength failed him, and he fell backwards.
When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks.
why should you thus, of your own accord, incur destruction and trust yourself in the house of your enemy?” The Stag replied: “Only allow me, friend, to stay where I am, and I will undertake to find some favourable opportunity of effecting my escape.” At the approach of the evening the herdsman came to feed his cattle, but did not see the Stag; and even the farm-bailiff with several laborers passed through the shed and failed to notice him.
Other matches
Learn fail in real texts
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